Dip Tubes in Hot Water
by Tom Sporney
Update: The National Dip Tube Class Action Settlement Program has ended and, except for people who properly filed claims before December 31, 2000 no more repairs will be made under the program. The Court Order approving the settlement only provided for dip tube repairs until December 31, 2000. Thus, if you are an owner of a water heater that would have been covered by the Class Action Settlement and you did not timely file a claim, manufacturers will not handle your claim or provide services related to the problems with your dip tube.
How do manufacturers stand behind potentially thirty million defective water heaters?
Very quietly.
The dip tube in a water heater directs incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank, where the water rises as it becomes warmer. Without it, your water heater will emit lukewarm water not long after turning on the faucet.
Most water heater manufacturers purchase their dip tubes from one supplier. Only recently has it been discovered that dip tubes manufactured from 1993 to 1996 were affected by a change in the manufacturing process.
The disintegrating dip tubes have clogged faucets, shower heads, and dishwashers. As the tube dissolves, water heater water turns cooler; unsuspecting homeowners typically respond by simply turning up the thermostat. Currently, many plumbers aware of the situation are replacing defective dip tubes under warranty, backcharging the repair to the manufacturer.
If your water heater was manufactured in this timeframe (the first digits of the serial number often indicate the month and year of manufacture), and you are experiencing blockage or decreased hot water temperatures, you may have a defective dip tube. Contact the plumber or company that sold you the product; for further inquiry, the major manufacturers are
|
general |
dip-tube
specific |
| A.O.Smith |
800-527-1953 |
800-323-2636 |
| American Water Heater |
|
800-999-9515 |
| Bradford White |
800-334-3393 |
800-531-2111 |
| Rheem (Ruud, Richmond) |
800-heater3 |
800-621-5622 |
| State Industries |
800-365-0024 |
800-821-2019 |
For details regarding this water heater dip tube failure, read articles by Steve Everly:
17Feb00 - Getting a water heater fixed is a frustrating experience for some
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